Sa’ar Honors 925 Fallen Soldiers at Board of Peace Summit

Standing before an international gathering in Washington, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar paused to remember the price Israel has paid in its war against Hamas.

“As I stand here,” Sa’ar said at the inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, “I recall the 925 brave soldiers that gave their lives in a war against pure evil: Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah. These are the best people.”

His words framed the moment not only as a diplomatic milestone, but as a solemn reminder of sacrifice.

“They went from front to front and charged forward under enemy fire,” Sa’ar continued. “To them we owe our existence and all our achievements. They will not be forgotten.”

The Board of Peace, established to oversee Gaza’s transitional governance and reconstruction, convened for the first time in Washington, D.C. President Trump opened the session, announcing that participating nations had pledged $7 billion toward a Gaza reconstruction fund, contingent on Hamas disarmament.

Sa’ar expressed strong appreciation for the American president’s role in spearheading the initiative.

“President Trump, this is an important day,” he said. “Your historic actions have proven time and again: You are a leader who takes initiative, forges new paths, and works toward a better future for the entire world.”

Throughout his address, Sa’ar revisited the atrocities of October 7 and emphasized that peace must rest on concrete foundations including the full disarmament of Hamas and the dismantling of systems that promote hatred.

“The infrastructure that indoctrinates Palestinian children to hate and kill Jews in educational and religious institutions should no longer exist,” he said, stressing that long-term stability requires cultural and ideological change, not just political agreements.

The summit unfolded amid broader regional tensions. While Hamas has indicated willingness to transfer administrative authority in Gaza to a technocratic committee, major elements of the ceasefire framework remain unresolved. At the same time, the United States continues to pressure Iran over its nuclear ambitions, adding another layer of complexity to the region’s future.

Still, the message from Israel’s foreign minister was clear: remembrance of the fallen must guide the path forward.

“President Trump’s visionary leadership creates, for the first time, an opportunity for a better future,” Sa’ar concluded. “On behalf of Israel, I say: Thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership.”

For Israel, the pursuit of peace is inseparable from the memory of those who gave their lives defending the Jewish state. As diplomatic efforts move forward, their sacrifice remains the foundation upon which any lasting stability must be built.

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